Academy Sides Now Drawn For EFL Trophy 2017

A short time ago the EFL finally announced who would be playing which Academy side in this year's EFL Trophy.

Quite why we needed two group stage draws this year is beyond me, and the generic fan reaction from those calling for a boycott - well what was presumably meant to create 'tension' succeeded in making it a farce - especially as it appears nobody knew when the draw would actually take place today.

Maybe it's me but we are still waiting for the fixtures and we're now going on almost an hour since it was supposed to begin.

Anyway, for those interested in the Trophy for this season, here is the full draw for the group stage and you'll have to discover your own fixture dates whenever they might be announced.

Northern:

Group ACarlisle United, Fleetwood Town, Morecambe, Leicester City

Group BAccrington Stanley, Blackpool, Wigan Athletic, Middlesbrough

Group CBlackburn Rovers, Bury, Rochdale, Stoke City

Group DCrewe Alexandra, Oldham Athletic, Port Vale, Newcastle United

Group ECoventry City, Shrewsbury Town, Walsall, West Bromwich Albion

Group FBradford City, Chesterfield, Rotherham United, Manchester City

Group GLincoln City, Mansfield Town, Notts County, Everton

Group HDoncaster Rovers, Grimsby Town, Scunthorpe United, Sunderland

Southern:

Group ACharlton Athletic, Crawley Town, Portsmouth, Fulham

Group BColchester United, Gillingham, Southend United, Reading

Group CBristol Rovers, Swindon Town, Wycombe Wanderers, West Ham United

Group DExeter City, Plymouth Argyle, Yeovil Town, Chelsea

Group ECheltenham Town, Forest Green Rovers, Newport County, Swansea City